Codenamed BP, the fourth generation of the Mazda3 is the best one yet as far as design, technology, and safety are concerned. The U.S. is treated only to the 2.5-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine, and as such, a turbo is duly needed.
Not even Jalopnik knows. Chances are the Turbo Three is going to be dressed up as a performance package of sorts. All force-fed options in the system are listed as “6A” according to the tipster, meaning that the six-speed automatic will be the only transmission available. As the headline implies, AWD is also on the menu.
Unlike the Mazdaspeed3 from the Ford era, all-wheel drive should help the newcomer in the twisties. As for acceleration, let’s take the European specification of the CX-30 Zenith 2.0 SkyActiv-X 180 as the yardstick. With FWD, the crossover hits 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.8 seconds while i-Activ AWD increases that time to 9.2 seconds.
Program manager Kota Beppu hinted at a hi-po Mazda3 hatchback in 2019, adding that the car will be "responsible and friendly. More friendly than a Volkswagen Golf GTI." Beppu also told Motor Trend that "it should be fast."
The SkyActiv-G 2.5T is currently used by three U.S. models in the guise of the Mazda6, CX-5, and CX-9. The 2.5-liter motor is much obliged to crank out 227 horsepower (230 PS) at 5,000 rpm and 310 pound-feet (420 Nm) of torque at 2,000 rpm with 87 octane.
Level up to premium unleaded gasoline, and you're looking at 250 horsepower (253 PS) at 5,000 revs and 320 pound-feet (433 Nm) of torque at 2,500 revolutions.
Yes, it’s not exactly impressive when compared to other four-pot turbos. But it’s something...
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